Ann McMillan - Palette Knife Oil Painting Demonstration

Central Coast artist Ann McMillan began oil painting in 1997 after studying drawing, science illustration and watercolor painting since childhood. Ann studies the interaction of light and color in the tradition of California Impressionism. Her recent work emphasizes the intensity and subtlety of sun and shadow. Training with Jove Wang and Barry Raybould has taught her to organize her painting around solid design and carefully mixed color. Ann always looks for strong and unusual compositions and color combinations. She tries to create art that reflects the vibrancy of nature and her love of close observation of the landscape. She most enjoys painting the Central Coast, the Sierra Nevada, Big Sur and the San Francisco Bay estuaries. Her work is exhibited at the Portnoy Galleries in Carmel and the Knowlton Gallery in Lodi.

I've seen Ann demonstrate before. Here palette knife paintings are wonderful. She frequently paints en plein air. She uses lots of color and I've even seen paintings that she has completed using a stick she picked up off the ground. Her commentary as she does her demos is full of information about how she makes her decisions and reminders about the use of value and contrast, etc. Usually she paints a small still life that she sets up at the meeting.

We are a group of fine artists that meet the third Thursday of every month for free demonstrations, fellowship and refreshments. With kind critiques we try to improve our skills and ourselves. We offer classes and workshops during the year for a small fee. Club meetings are free to anyone who wants to attend at any time. However, paid membership has its benefits too. Paid members may be included in our Annual Show and any other fine art shows we enter as a club during the year. Come to a few meetings, see if we are a good fit for you, then bring your current work and get voted in for club membership! The cost is only $35 for the entire year. But, you don't have to be a member to come and see all the wonderful demo's from professional artisans. Paid members bringing their current work to meetings are voted on for 'Artist of the Month'. We have an Annual Show and exhibit several times a year at great venues like the Triton's Midsummer Art Show. We work in all sorts of mediums including watercolor, oil painting, acrylics, jewelry making, sculpture, charcoal, photography, felting, basket making, etc. What medium would you like to add to the list? The field is wide open! Come on over anytime, we would love to have you! Did I mention the free demonstrations from local artists?